Whats In It For Me Understanding Generational Differences

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Whats In It For Me?Understanding Generational
Differences

• Presented By
• Dr. Cheryl Leitschuh, Ed.D.
• 651-398-7151
• www.career-future.com
• cheryl_at_career-future.com

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This is truly one of the most unique times in
the history of the American workforce. With four
different generations converging upon one place,
everyone needs to be equipped with practical ways
to deal with all the differences. Ken
Blanchard
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Four Generations/Four Mindsets

• Veterans (1922-1943)
• Baby Boomers (1943-1960)
• Generation X (1960-1980)
• Nexters (1980 present)

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Veterans (1922-1943)

• Think American Values
• Like things on a grand scale
• Consistency and uniformity
• Logic, not magic
• Disciplined and directive
• Past oriented and history absorbed
• Believe in law and order
• Spending is conservative

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Baby Boomer (1943-1960)

• Believe in growth and expansion
• Pre-us/Us/Post-us
• Optimistic
• Teamwork
• Pursue their own personal gratification often at
  a high price to self and others
• Search their souls repeatedly, obsessively and
  recreationally
• Have always been cool and will tell you so

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Generation X (1960-1980)

• Self-reliant
• Want balance
• As long as I get my work done, what does it
  matter how and when I get it done?
• Like informality
• Approach to authority is casual
• Skeptical
• Attracted to the edge
• Technologically savvy

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Nexters (1980-2000)

• Smartest, cleverest, healthiest
• Optimistic
• Confidence
• Achievement
• Sociability
• Morality
• Diversity

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Generational differences on the job
Veterans I have worked for the same company for
almost all of my life and although I am in my
retirement years, I am not ready to leave the
workforce entirely.
Baby Boomers Work is an anchor in my life and I
am willing to make significant personal
sacrifices for career success.
Gen Xers Work is an enjoyable aspect of my life
but I am more concerned with work/life balance
and not as willing to make personal sacrifices
for my career advancement.
Gen Yers I am not willing to sacrifice my
personal and family time for my career like my
parents (Baby Boomers). My dream job would enable
me to utilize technology to work flexibly and
would evaluate me on work product, not how, when,
or where I get the job done. That said, I also
value relationships with my employer and
colleagues.
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Impact on the Workplace
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Key to successful intergenerational relationships

• Communication
• Communication
• Communication..

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Aggressive Communication

• Understand why people want to be on your team
• Set ground rules to be on the team
• What game are we playing?
• How do we talk about tough stuff?
• How is information disseminated?
• Active listening

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Aggressive Communication

• Build you and your teams communication skills
• Get agreement after every conversation
• What did we agree to?
• By when?
• Conflict 101

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What is the next step you will take? What will
you do with this information?